"Do you know 'Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng'?"
"No."
"My name comes from it..." The little boy said word by word to the little girl, "The old are strong, why should their hearts change with age? This is my name."
"My name is Qin Ningyi. Do you remember?"
Memories surged back – a rare instance of his youthful meddling, his willfulness after he grew up, Youyou, whom he had searched for a long, long time without finding.
He repeatedly told himself it must be a coincidence. Anyone who had attended high school would know 'Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng'; it wasn't something that could be used as a secret code.
It was just a coincidence.
But...
Qin Ningyi's mind was in turmoil; he couldn't convince himself. It was too difficult.
He had told Youyou, "Mengchang's noble character is matched by his unfulfilled patriotic aspirations. Sister Youyou, many things are not things I can do just because I want to."
He still remembered Youyou's innocent yet slightly cool eyes at the time, a flicker of confusion crossing them. "Brother, why don't you do what you want to do? You'll have regrets."
"You're so capable. If you do what you like, you can help not just Youyou, but many more people. Wouldn't that be good?"
The scorching midday sun baked his skin, but every word Youyou spoke then seared his heart, as if he had found a reason, received support, and was filled with confidence.
That was why he had made a pact with his parents and fulfilled his dream.
Could Huo Rou be Youyou?
This thought, beyond his control, churned in Qin Ningyi's mind, like a seed taking root in his heart, growing and thriving.
"Ah Rou she..."
Once he adopted this hypothesis, many details flooded his mind.
Qin Ningyi, holding his wine glass, fell into contemplation, completely oblivious to Liu Dazhi, who had already passed out and fallen asleep.
Li Zhaodi and Liu Fang tiptoed over to him, waving their hands. "Uncle Qin?"
Together they helped Liu Dazhi back to his room. Qin Ningyi had lost all desire to sleep. He went into the courtyard, feeling the tranquility of the village night.
"Uncle Qin, you can't sleep?" Li Zhaodi, hugging a hand warmer, peeked out from the main hall.
Having grown up in such a family, Li Zhaodi was naturally sensitive to others' emotions. She sensed that something was off with Qin Ningyi.
Qin Ningyi turned around, a curve of his lips appearing in the bright moonlight, his eyes filled with a gentle warmth. "Yes, I can't sleep, so I came out for a walk."
Looking at the gentleness in his eyes, Li Zhaodi blurted out, "Uncle Qin, you have Aunt Huo's feeling about you!"
The Qin Ningyi before her was completely different from the one she had encountered before. The previous time, Qin Ningyi had exuded a sense of stability, making him easy to trust, but his aloof coolness also made him unapproachable.
However, the Qin Ningyi she saw today was shedding this high-and-mighty seriousness, radiating a warmth and approachability. This feeling of being worldly yet distant, approachable yet unfamiliar, was exactly like Huo Rou.
Li Zhaodi tilted her head, feeling that Qin Ningyi seemed to be unconsciously imitating Huo Rou.
Or rather, learning to live like her.
Hearing Li Zhaodi's words, Qin Ningyi was also stunned. He had Huo Rou's feeling about him?
"Why do you say that?"
Hearing Huo Rou's name always brought him a sense of familiarity. He raised his eyebrows slightly and asked slowly.
Li Zhaodi shook her head. "I can't quite explain it, it's just a feeling."
"Uncle Qin, why can't you sleep? Is Uncle Dazhi's bed uncomfortable?"
She had been to Qin's house and knew what Qin Ningyi's life was like. She had sat on Qin's sofa and rested in the guest room. The bed there was moderately soft and firm. In comparison, the beds in their village were very hard.
Qin Ningyi smiled inwardly. During the war, he often slept outdoors. On tree branches, by streams, in caves... he had slept everywhere. He wasn't so pampered that he couldn't handle a few days of comfort.
He looked at the guilt in Li Zhaodi's eyes and was about to shake his head.
"How about adding another quilt?" Li Zhaodi suddenly said. She glanced at the courtyard gate in the moonlight. "Aunt Huo hid a quilt for me outside the courtyard wall. Uncle Qin, I'll get it for you."
Li Zhaodi acted immediately. She unplugged the flashlight charging on the table in the main hall, turned it on, and walked out.
"Aunt Huo's quilt is exceptionally comfortable. Once you use it, you'll definitely be able to sleep. You must not have rested well lately; sleep is very important!" She chattered on as she opened the courtyard gate.
Qin Ningyi had helped her, and he was her benefactor. Within her ability, she would definitely help him solve any problems.
Hearing her say she was going to get the quilt Huo Rou had hidden for her, Qin Ningyi also followed, feeling curious.